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This is the tenth and final part of a series that will cover all of the top 50 Cryptocurrencies and provide an introduction to what the coin does, why it matters, and any important highlights. The goal of the Top 50 series is to give readers a basic understanding of each coin that simplifies a thorough technical understanding into a few easy to understand points. The ranking of coins changes on a day by day basis and may not always reflect the order in this article.

46 of 50 — Stratis (STRAT)

Stratis is a platform that is designed to streamline blockchain deployment. It features smart contracts, ICOs, and sidechain capacity. Stratis uses proof-of-stake in its network but supports proof-of-work, proof-of-stake and proof-of-authority in its sidechain system. Stratis allows sidechains to adopt different consensus protocols.

Stratis Sidechains allow companies and organizations to deploy modular and customizable blockchain sidechains to drive applications. On top of making it easy for the creation of customizable blockchain, sidechains reduce main chain bloat by distributing the storage of data away from the main chain. Stratis also provides identity services and has partnered with a number of notable partners including Microsoft.

47 of 50 — Bitshares (BTS)

Bitshares is a network created by the founder of EOS and Steem who pioneered the delegated proof of stake consensus system. Bitshares uses a unique graphene structure for its network. BTS functions more as a form of equity or asset instead of as a currency like Bitcoin. Bitshares offers decentralized financial services based on simple smart contracts but is not a network that allows individuals to deploy their own smart contracts like Ethereum.

It instead provides a specific number of services which are created and offered. Bitshares has extremely fast block times and speeds and is managed by a decentralized autonomous company, or DAO, that allows holders to participate in the governance of the network. Bitshares provides digital assets in the form of digitized fiat currencies and other assets. It also provides decentralized exchange services.

48 of 50 — Siacoin (SIA)

Siacoin is a decentralized storage network designed to change the way files are stored online. Siacoin uses a model where a network made of many different nodes stores files for users at cost and are compensated for doing so. Each node receives payment in proportion to the resources they have allocated to the network, and users pay in proportion to the size of what they need to store.

The benefits of Siacoin is that files are more secured across a variety of decentralized nodes than in a centralized storage system. It also eliminates the risk of a centralized party, like Dropbox, accidentally or purposefully manipulating data.

49 of 50 — Steem (STEEM)

Steem is a platform that is similar to websites like Reddit except that it financially rewards users for their content. Steem operates using a graphene structure and a delegated proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. It is a highly scalable network.

Steem solves a problem in the content world by rewarding users for creating great content without needing to leverage advertising. The Steem network creates new coins at a rate of 9.5 percent a year, which is a fairly high rate. The reason for doing so is to provide coins to distribute to users. Steem has been a fairly popular platform and has allowed content creators to actually generate income. The economic model has been criticized as not being sustainable in the long term.

50 of 50 — Gemini Dollar (GUSD)

The Gemini Dollar is a stablecoin created by the Gemini Cryptocurrency Exchange.

It is a collateralized stablecoin where one US dollar is held in a bank account for each existing Gemini Dollar. The accounts are audited on a security and financial level.